LOS ANGELES — The Columbus Crew’s Guillermo Barros Schelotto, a midfield wizard who was a longtime star in his native Argentina, won MLS’ most valuable player award Thursday.
The 35-year-old Schelotto had 19 assists and seven goals for Columbus as the Crew bounced back from a 9-11-10 record the previous year to finish with an MLS-best 17-7-6 mark.
He and his teammates face the New York Red Bulls on Sunday for the MLS Cup.
Schelotto, from Buenos Aires, outpolled runner-up Landon Donovan of the Los Angeles Galaxy and Cuauhtemoc Blanco of the Chicago Fire in the voting by the league’s coaches and general managers, players and media.
• Bayern Munich is hoping to sign Donovan on a loan deal similar to the one David Beckham has reached with AC Milan.
Bayern coach Juergen Klinsmann said Donovan had been given a verbal promise that he could play 2 1/2 months in Europe.
USA Boxing back in good graces
COLORADO SPRINGS — The USOC said it has ended the probation it placed on USA Boxing, citing progress made in reforming the organization that develops boxers to compete in the Olympics.
USA Boxing was placed on probation in 2002 and underwent a restructuring in 2006 to bring it more in line with the national governing bodies for other Olympic sports. The original probation was imposed because of a variety of problems in managing the amateur program.
Bowe planning comeback
FRANKFURT, Germany — Former heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe will fight for the first time in three years on the undercard of the IBF title fight between Wladimir Klitschko and Hasim Rahman.
Bowe’s opponent for the Dec. 13 fight is yet to be determined, promoters said. Bowe, 41, retired in 1996 and came back in 2004. He had another fight in 2005 and has not fought since.
Davis Cup final begins today
MAR DEL PLATA, Argentina — Argentina’s David Nalbandian will face Spain’s David Ferrer today in the opening match of the Davis Cup final.
Juan Martin del Potro, Argentina’s top-ranked player at No. 9, was drawn to play Feliciano Lopez in the second singles match of the best-of-five series.
In Saturday’s doubles, Jose Acasuso and Agustin Calleri of Argentina will play Lopez and Fernando Verdasco. The reverse singles will be held Sunday.
Footnotes.
Coach Bill Laimbeer has been re-signed to a two-year contract by the WNBA champion Detroit Shock.
The two-time NBA champion as a member of the Detroit Pistons guided the Shock this summer to its third title during his seven years as coach.
• Race organizers say the 2010 Tour de France will start in the Netherlands. The 97th edition of the showcase race will begin on July 3 in Rotterdam. Next year’s Tour starts in Monaco on July 4.
The Associated Press
